If you were the victim of a motorcycle accident in Decatur, GA, you may have plausible grounds to pursue compensation for your losses and injuries. You have two legal options when seeking compensation. You can demand monetary compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer or direct it to the negligent party by filing a personal injury lawsuit. When seeking compensation for your losses, among the most crucial decisions you will have to make is whether to accept an early settlement offer. In most instances, insurers will present the victims with a settlement offer.
Typically, the initial offer they give is often lowballed. You are not obligated to accept the settlement offer made by the insurance company. In most circumstances, accepting the first offer made right away could be detrimental, as the compensation may not be sufficient to cover your injuries and other losses. Note that insurance companies are for-profit entities and will seldom open with a fair offer. Therefore, you should never feel obligated to make a hasty decision when approached.
To protect yourself and your financial interests, consulting with an attorney before accepting a settlement agreement is recommended. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney can negotiate a settlement that maximizes your recovery. When evaluating whether to accept a settlement offer, our personal injury attorneys will continually act in your best interests.
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at SHElaw firm® will thoroughly analyze the details of your case to assist you in establishing whether a settlement offer is suitable given your situation. Contact us today at 470-378-1162 and get your free consultation.
Questions to Ask Before Taking the Insurance Company’s Motorcycle Accident Settlement
It’s natural to gravitate toward taking the settlement offer presented by the insurance company following a car accident, particularly with mounting medical costs. Still, it’s integral to take into account whether this first offer is what you truly deserve and need in the long haul. As you decide whether or not to take a settlement offer, you should ask these fundamental questions.
Will Further Medical Treatment Be Required?
A significant proportion of the damages sustained by motorcycle accident victims goes to covering medical expenses. You might not comprehend the critical nature of stalling the sale of your case until you have a full understanding of what your future medical treatments will involve. For instance, in the case of a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, it may require several weeks or even months to develop a comprehensive understanding of the persistent symptoms that you will need to manage.
Therefore, it is prudent to delay resolving your claim until you have fully recovered from your injuries or have reached the maximum possible recovery. Your physician will be able to provide you with a more precise prognosis at that juncture. It is not uncommon for individuals involved in motorcycle accidents to endure prolonged recovery periods due to multiple injuries. If you resolve your case prematurely, you will forfeit the right to seek further compensation if your medical costs surpass the amount you have recovered in the settlement agreement.
Is the Settlement Offer Too Low?
As for-profit organizations, insurance companies are always looking to protect their bottom line. As such, they will attempt to resolve claims quickly so they can pay the plaintiff and close that chapter. If the insurance company is pressuring you to accept a settlement offer quickly, you should exercise caution. They are likely attempting to lowball your claim and make a payout as soon as possible as they recognize its higher value.
By devaluing your compensation claim below what you deserve, the company can save money and improve its overall profitability. In most cases, the initial settlement offer should be high. Accepting an offer precludes the ability to negotiate it again, so it is prudent to consult with a seasoned Athens motorcycle accident attorney before agreeing to anything. Our experienced attorney can help you recover damages suffered from a motorcycle accident.
How Strong is the Evidence?
You will have to definitely prove that the other driver acted negligently or recklessly and caused the motorcycle accident for you to recoup compensation for your injuries. This requires proof of the four elements of negligence and the severity of your injuries.
A lawyer can assist you in assessing the strength of your evidence when you are debating whether or not to sue. You may be able to recover a higher amount of compensation if you have a stronger claim and substantial evidence against the negligent driver. If the insurance company continues to deny you a reasonable offer, you can decide to head to trial.
What is the Attorney’s Recommendation?
It is wise to follow the counsel of a seasoned motorcycle accident attorney. Our attorneys at the SHElaw firm® can assist you in determining the value of your case by reviewing all pertinent elements of your case.
Consult With a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney Lawyer Today!
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident due to somebody else’s negligence, don’t allow the responsible party or parties to get away with the physical, mental and financial burden that follows. The dedicated lawyers at SHElaw firm® are prepared to aggressively fight to protect your rights and ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries and losses. Contact our motorcycle accident attorneys today at 470-378-1162 to arrange a free case review and consultation!
